Francesca MenegonParticipated in 2022Intern Abroad | England
Originally from California, Francesca graduated from UC Irvine in 2021 with a BA in Drama and Honors in Stage Management. She is a working professional in the entertainment industry and works both on and off the stage.
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I was originally supposed to study abroad in college, but sadly that was canceled due to the pandemic. After graduating, I knew I still wanted to experience living and working abroad, which is how I discovered Beyond Academy.
As someone who received a degree in the arts, I knew I wanted to go somewhere that would benefit my career and continue to inspire me. I was already supposed to study in the UK, so deciding to go to London was an obvious choice for me.
London is filled with opportunities for my career choice, so I was able to learn and advance my career in a place where lots of others around me shared similar passions.
Why did you choose ?
I chose Beyond because they had a lot of options and flexibility in their program. I could tailor the experience to my needs and wants, choosing exactly what I wanted to get out of the internship.
I got to choose the length of my program, what industry and city I wanted to work in, and even had a say about who I would be interning with which was a big plus for me.
What was your favorite part about London?
I loved the diversity of London! There was so much to do and see. There were so many options that each day you could discover something new.
I think my favorite part was exploring everything the city had to offer. For example, you could be at a park seeing the skyline views of London and enjoying a picnic, and on the same day visit one of London's amazing historical landmarks.
Hanging out at Primrose Hill!
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The other interns! I felt like I already had a group of friends the second I arrived which made it a lot easier to settle in. Beyond is really good about having events during your time in your chosen city, so I loved having a little community that supported me whilst I was abroad.
Some of the events included a night at the theater, a trip to Cambridge, and some visits to pubs. It was a nice variety that included something for everyone's interests. Besides the planned events, a lot of the interns met up on our own and went out exploring together.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The Beyond Academy Community Team was very supportive throughout my program. They were always available to message whenever I had a question about anything in the city or about my internship.
They were also very helpful when I had an issue with my room and housing situation. They checked in and ensured that everything worked out well and that I was comfortable and happy. The events they set up each month were also great, not only to spend time with other interns and experience something new, but also as check-ins.
From the moment you apply until your last day, the Beyond Academy team is with you every step of the way. It is really reassuring and makes the program stand out from other programs going abroad.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
Honestly, I wouldn't have done anything differently. I got so much out of my experience and had so much fun doing so. I think Beyond Academy ensures that you get a lot out of your experience—which is why the price is so worth it!
If anything, I needed more time because there was so much to do and see. Even locals I talked to hadn't done some of the things I had the opportunity to do. Outside of my internship and the Beyond events, I had time by myself to go out and do whatever I wanted to do, which gave me the freedom to choose and plan my experience.
In a program like this, you have the power to choose what to get out of it. In my case, I got everything I wanted and more because of how I decided to spend my time.
The Churchill Arms pub in West London- Known for its over-the-top exterior
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I worked 9-5 at my internship, so I'd get ready for work in the morning and then catch the bus to my company's venue, as that was the easiest commute for me.
After work, I'd either head off to a Beyond Academy event and meet up with the other interns, or go catch a West End show, and maybe grab a drink at a pub. There was never a dull moment, and if I ever wanted a quiet night in, there was a chance to do this at the housing provided.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I loved going out on my own and exploring. I really enjoyed spending time at the parks, usually stopping along the way to try out a new restaurant or coffee shop that would pique my interest.
There were also lots of things to do if you were on a budget. For example, all of London's big museums are free! This made for a great way to spend time on the weekend without breaking the bank.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I lived in student housing which included my own studio with a private bathroom and kitchen. It was comfortable for the length of my stay.
The people at the front desk were super friendly with any questions I had, and it was a good place to meet up with other interns, or even meet other people from different programs.
Part of the Queen's Jubilee Parade!
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Everyone should know that you'll have a great community and support from Beyond during your entire program! You can be as independent as you want as the events are all optional, but if you're worried you might feel lonely, the events give you the perfect opportunity to make some friends whilst you're in London.
Would you recommend Beyond Academy to others? Why?
Absolutely! I'd recommend Beyond to anyone looking to get experience working abroad whilst also experiencing a different culture. The program allows you to have the time to both explore the place you're staying in and be social, but also get work experience that is super helpful for your career goals.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Meeting new people is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad. You get to meet people from so many different places. I got to meet people from Denmark, the Philippines, and Spain through the Beyond program! Through these friendships, you have the opportunity to make lifelong connections.
I also had the opportunity to do some solo traveling and met lots of friends, some from the US, and people from Australia and Austria. Now I have connections in those places, which just makes me want to travel more.
I've been done with my program for a few months now, but still keep in touch with some of the interns I met. We are hoping to plan a reunion in a new country sometime soon!
Enjoying hot dogs with some of the other interns on 4th of July
Did your program provide specific pre-departure Covid support? If yes, tell us what kind of support you received.
Thankfully my pre-departure was during a time of low Covid cases, so I did not need much support. I arrived in April 2022 and the UK had dropped most (if not all) of its Covid restrictions in February of that year. If there were any Covid protocols we needed to follow for the events, Beyond was great with working with changes to plans. This also extended to any other issues that arose!
How did your program help you stay (and feel) safe abroad amidst the ongoing pandemic?
Luckily, I felt incredibly safe during my time abroad. Beyond Academy makes sure you have resources available in case anything happens, small or big, during your stay in the city you're interning in. If anyone got Covid whilst on the program, they made sure to check in and see if anyone needed medicine or just general support.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Well, in my case, my time abroad has impacted my life in a huge way as I am going to return to London and work full-time for the company I interned with whilst I was on the Beyond Program.
My time with Beyond gave me the confidence to accept the job offer since I felt like I knew the city well enough from my internship and Beyond's community events that I would know what to expect from living in London by myself this time.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel means that when you're traveling you are gaining something within yourself. Unlike a vacation where you may travel to relax, meaningful travel means you get to experience a new place and take in what it offers you. You allow yourself to experience the culture, and let the location teach and change you for the better.
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